APKTool vs Mimikatz: Which Command and Control Framework tool is Best in 2025?

APKTool is an open-source command-line utility, pre-installed on Kali Linux at /usr/bin/apktool, designed for reverse engineering Android application package (APK) files. Maintained by Connor Tumbleson (iBotPeaches) and originally developed by JesusFreke, APKTool decompiles APKs into nearly original resources and smali code, enabling modifications, debugging, and recompilation. Ideal for cybersecurity professionals, ethical hackers, and Android developers, it supports vulnerability analysis, malware inspection, and app localization. With a project-like structure and automation for repetitive tasks, APKTool streamlines APK manipulation.

Mimikatz is an open-source, highly potent post-exploitation tool developed by Benjamin Delpy for extracting plaintext credentials, NTLM hashes, and Kerberos tickets from Windows systems. Available on Kali Linux at /usr/share/windows-resources/mimikatz, it is a cornerstone for penetration testers, red teamers, and ethical hackers conducting authorized security assessments. By leveraging Windows’ memory structures, Mimikatz uncovers sensitive authentication data, enabling privilege escalation, lateral movement, and persistence in compromised environments.